Combination storm and screen unit



Oct. 2, 1951 L. T. MILNOR COMBINATION STORM AND SCREEN UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1948 INVENTOR.

n I $51M a M Oct. 2, 1951 L. T. MILNOR 2,569,942

COMBINATION STORM AND SCREEN UNIT Fild April 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n 8 7%ENTOR.

Patented Oct. 2, 1!?51 UNITED STATES OFFIEE COMBINATION STORM END. SCREEN UNI'E Leland T} Milnor, Cincinnati}; Ohio assignolgjlii, mesne assignments, to The EhCiBmsselljCom pany," Cleveland; Ohioya coriioratlon offllii'o Application April 20, 1946;:SerialaNorGGBflfilz;

7, Claims-M (Cl. 1609-90.).

Thisinvention -;relates togimprovements in com: binationstorm and screen panelunits, applicableupon installed windowor the like opening frames for auxiliary insulation protection and alternately-,- tonguard; against: theadmission of; insects,- with, the panels: readily removable-1 from the1 inside, of; the. room,,f,or seasonal interchange or free access to; the exterior: side of the; sash of the-window frame for cleansing and other service; Reference is; made to related copending application for United States Patent- SerialNo. 722,678 filedlJannary-1Z7, 1947.

The combination auxiliary.- storm and screen panelunits, to which-the invention is; directed, eachlllfovides apair-of side rails ofcorresponding crosssectional form' and a header crossirail readily applicable to an: installed window frame fmtrremovably mounting and sustaining-auxiliarypane1s;,asan'upper glazed and a lower screen in vertical) alignment, and; a. lower glazed panel in offset relation-.tothealigned panels. The lower panel isslidably elevatable-for adjustably setting theisame for various degrees ofventilation openins: Thezcross-sectional formof the siderails are of a charactertoigive-stability thereto and to sefiflkpanels of relatively difierent width'measurement in adjoining, relation to; facilitatetheir removalinwardlysof the room andin-freedomirom the side-rails on jambs of; the window frameyto whichthe rails'ot the unit are applied.

An object of the: inventionis to provide a-comlbination storm and screen lp anelunit-with aframe work of companionrside railsand a head cross: rail forseparatefitting and application zand-adap taticnl for the required; width dimensioniof, the. auxiliarypanels and degree that the- Window frame may v be outoflcplumb. A head-rail thatpossesses an excessive.- tolerance to; accommodate for appropriate relative panel setting for theirheightwithout necessitating making any; fitting alterationin their height dimension. Therefore: the panels, with l light metal frames; can beface tory prefabricated in determined-sizes ready, for service and without any fitting orproduction work at the place of installation which is time consumingg and costly.-

Another-y object is; to provide a combination stormw window screen readily applicableto-anim stalled :window frame, as auxiliarytortherregular sash therein and in which the lower glazed-panel can be: elevated for various; degrees o-f ventilation opening.

Another objjectlis to; provide for azquiclc seasonal interchangezohthe panels from eitherglazed tosscreen, allindividually insertedzor removed in: wardly of the rooms Another object is to :providewtorm-and screen panels: having fldI'IlSSQCOIlStIllOtl-Zdf frozmconvene tionahmetal bar:material;of correspondingidepth measurementfor compactnessrin depthrmmension fcifrinstallationi within-the confinesfofz an vinstalled. window frame; and! interchange within thersuse taming; side rails, employed? fonmounting the. panels within an installed windowframe:,

Various: otherfeatures and advantages of the inventiomwillzbe more fnllwset-l-forthi in the I01?" lowingadescription;ofrthe accompanying drawings; forming aapart hereof, andidepicting, a: preferred: embodiment imwhich:

Figure; his; an minteriorrelevation of: a, 001N811? tional wwindowl frame; equippedwith the improved; unite, almliedr to: I the outer; side: ofa the window framewith-vthe sash-\andiscreen panel; thereof.- removedi,

Figure-2i is.-;an lenlargedseotion on line- 2," Z Fig ure: l-, ,and including the: sash) and scream panelsl Figure 3. issan elevatiom of at corner-1 sectiomof; the frame: for" thei auxiliaryl' sash: and; screen paneled Eigure inseam elevationl' ofl a: section; oftone: of: theirailslormjambsaof theiframerillustrating the: mannerrofisustaininglandiconfining:thelowenend; ofithe.eupnenauxiliaryrsashithoreini the sashbeing showmimsectiona Eisner-5 l isiaisection: on; linezc5; j li'ignre 25:

Figure; 6.: isz-a 'seoticnionilineifi- 6; Eigure 2;.with; the-sash andascreenznanelsremoveda Figure 7 is an elevation of the unit viewed Efrem the interior. sideimitsiapplicationzuponza window frame: withathe lower sash removed.

Eigure Biiszia plamviewrof a: hand holdlorrtlift; aszappl-iedito the inneriside:iotlthezbottomlraillof' the trarnero fithezlowensash:

Figuressg isyasectional perspectivezviewaofta porn-' tion ofzaisiderrail-iof theeframeiofra screenvpzmel and1handholdmn-rgriplthereforet Eigureelfl isa sectionesimilamto l iguretfi, illus'e' trating -a modified fcrmiotfsideirailsz The seasonal sub sti-tution or replacement at storm sash-and soreerr panels particularly when each is -of-'a-dimension"respectivelyembodying the entire area of the window opening for the 'si zes conventionally employed for residence buildings requiring-- the" I alternate storage of "one while theother is in use has always been of considerable biirden-totlie user in maki'ng th'e exchange. A. single sash or screen panel for the full opening area of theaverage size of aresidence-building window, is' difficult to install and removefromth'e inside 'of' the buildings In the present instance;- the auxiliarysash and'screen'panels; respectively, in sizes are comparative each to' the double=hung sliding sash employed int-the windowframe and preferablysol -slig litlwless width dimension tliereto: so tIia-titheyecarr': readily: and 'convenientl'y be. installeditor: removed from-the" inner sid' 0t lithe. windowrwithout interterencertherewith;

' Referringitmtheedrawingst:llfiindicates oneiofa pairrof-ssheetzrmetalzside railseorrj ambss" ofr come cnossesectional-i configuration, each blind stop 2 thereofmAs illustrated in- Figures v and 6, each side rail or jamb is of stepped form in cross-section to provide a pair of guide ways,

relatively off-set from one another in two directions. Each rail embodiesa flange 3, as a base therefor longitudinally of and for the full length of the rail for overlapping .the outer surface or edge of the outer blind stop2 of the window frame for application thereon. The flange may be provided with suitably spaced aper,-.

ion to the base flange 3 of each of the side rails and in plane therewith. v

The web portion II of the cross rail I0, extends in a horizontal plane from the window frame and covers the stepped upper end of side rails and the outer flange depending therefrom overlaps the outer face of the transverse end limb or riser of the step 5, of the side rails I. The opposite ends of the Web portion H, are bent laterally to provide depending lips or tangs I2, which respectively overlap the upper end' of the stepd of the side rails. The opposite longitudinal tures or notches opening to the outer edge, each for the reception of a screw or other type of fastening means for attaching the rails to the blind stop The flange isof; appropriate width to accommodate for an absoluteperpendicular setting of the rail irrespective of any degree that the jamb of thewindow frame may be out of plumb and to sustain the auxiliary sash-inward from the jambs of the window frame. From the fiange, the rail is bent laterally from one side thereof to provide a pair of right" angular relatively stepped portions or steps 4 and 5, for thefull length of the rail and which extend outward when the rail is installed uponthe window frame. The crosssectional configuration of the side rails therefore provide a pair of off-set ways or steps, for sustaining relatively difierential widths of sash and screen panels-withthe innermost-way or step for the greater width of sash'within the minimum width dimension of the window frame to allow ample clearance-for a direct inner removal of the auxiliary sash and screen panels without being required to cant the same for passage through the window frame. :This also provides ample marginalspace forpanel clamping or looking devices with which-"theside rails or parts may be equipped. The stepped form of side rails materially 'stiffens and reinforces the rail structure so that they can be constructed of comparatively thin gauge metal; aswell as simplifying its production. Y

The outer step 5, of the side rails, serves for sustaining an uppersash 6, and a lower screen panel 1,. .in relative alignment, Eachis independently locked or confined to the rails so that they can be separately removed without disturbance one to the other. The screen panel can therefore be removed. and omitted during the winter season, if desired, and alternately a screen panel can be interchanged with the upper sash 6, during the summer season, if it is desired to screen the full openingarea of the window. 7 The upper auxiliary sash or panel 6, at its opposite lowercorners respectively, is seated and laterally confined by a stationary latch 8, fixed to a sid rail, which requires that the panel be slightly elevated for release therefrom for panel removal. The screen panel is shown for release therefrom for panel removal. The screen panel is shown as locked in place, by a pair of. spring bolts 9, each respectively traversing an aperture in a side rail. The forms of latch or locking means disclosed is merely selective it being obvious that various othertypes may be employed.

The upper end of the side rails I,"join with and are capped by ahead rail III of Z-bar form in cross section and maybe described as comprising a web portionIl, having laterally projecting flange respectively from each of its longitudinal ends, extendinginrelative opposite directions. .One of the'fiangesserves as a base for securing'the rail'to the upper-outer crossblind stopof the window frame and therefore companends of the head rail completely covers and sheds the upper ends of the side rails and the construction is such that the rails need not be fastened together, which is of advantage in the application thereof to the window frame. medial portion of the depending flange of the head rail for its length between the longitudinal ends of the side rails is depressed to bring the same into registry and alignment or plane with the outer head of the step 5,- of the side rails for a bearing contact with the upper rail of the frame of the upper sash 6. A length of flexible metal weather strip I3, of angle form in cross section is fixed to the lower or inner side of the web II of the cross rail, to overlap the inner side of the upper end of the sash frame, to laterally confine the same and yieldingly bind the sash against the depending flange of the cross rail I0 and side rails I.

The head rail with the weather stripping provides a channel for the full width of the upper panel and has a depth to permit the upper panel to beelevated from the latches 8, and above the top of the lower panel I4, whereupon the upper panel can be swung to an angle inwardly of the window frame, the weather stripping yielding sufficiently, so that the panel can be slid or conveyed downwardly for removal.

The sash and screen panel are'equipped with means for obtaining a hand hold thereon, a type for each is illustrated respectively in Figures 8 and 9, to facilitate in the manual handling of the panels for insertion and removal, and which will,

hereinafter, be described in detail.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the lower end of the screen panel I, is confined against lateral displacement b a pair of stationary latches I5, I 5, each respectively fixed to a relative side rail. Upon releasing the spring bolts 9, from their locking connection with the side rails the panel can be tilted to a degree sufficient to clear the lower end of the upper panel, and thereupon it can be elevated to a degree to release it from the lower latches I5, I5, whence it can be wi.hdrawn inwardly of the window frame for removal.

The lower auxiliary glazed .panel I4, is slidably sustained within guideways or channels formed by the step 4, of the side rails and an angle strip l6, respectively fixed to the limb or riser of the inner step of each rail extending perpendicular or at an angle to the fiange 3, thereof. The channels thus formed for each of the side rails correspondingly are slightly short of the length of the lower sash to permit the panel to be extracted therefrom in an elevated position.

'Guidingly and laterally confining the lower panel within the side rails provides for elevating the same to any partial height within the channel for a ventilation adjustment and it is locked in any ventilating position of adjustment by a clamp lever I1, pivotally mounted or journalled within a supporting plate I8, fixed to the face side of the angle strip I6. The forward or stud when the lever is-moved to extendin an angular position from the channel, impingingly bears against the side rail of the lower panel frame securely binds the same in its adjusted elevated position.

The upper cross rail of the frame ofthe lower panel, at its outer side, carries a yielding weather or sealing strip IQ, for a bearing contact with the lower rail of the frame of the upper panel 6, when both panels are in their closed position, as illustrated in Figure 2. The sealingor weather strip [9, is produced from a thin gauge sheet metal material, spring tempered, bent to U-form in cross section, with one limb thereof serving for anchoring the strip within the channel of cross rail of the panel frame, formed of a channel bar, the end of the limb having a lateral flange longitudinally thereof to bear against the inner side of the web of the frame bar or base of the channel-thereof and overlie the edge of the glass pane glazed within the frame. The weather strip is inserted within the panel frame preliminary to glazing, so that the pane and putty or medium securing the pane within the panel frame anchor the weather strip to the frame without the use of any auxiliary fastening means. This method ofapplication of the wea-her strip to the frame is simple, efficient, economical and devoid of any air gaps. The yielding limb if the weather strip flares rearwardly over the edge surface of the rail of the panel frame, which serves to reinforce the limb longitudinally to avoid against crimping which would result in the production of air gaps and interfere within a uniform bearing contact with the adjoining surface of the lower rail of the upper panel against which the limb bears in the closed position of both upper and lower panels.

The method of application of the weather stripping to the sash or panel frame is analogously followed for the application hook sash lifts or handles-20, to the panel frames as illustrated in Figures 2 and 8, and for a handle 2|, to the frame of the screen panel, as shown in Figure 9.

It is more preferable to apply the handles to the side rails of the screen frame, and as the screen fabric and the means for securing the same marginally within a channel in the frame rails, are of a yielding character and to appropriately direct the hand gripping portion of the handle inwardl from the frame, it is of angle form in cross section, with the anchoring flange or limb 22, thereof of U-form in cross section to clasp about a flange of a rail bar of the screen frame. The handle at the corner formed by the angular form of the plate is corrugated to loop about the outer side corner of the rail of the screen frame and in conjunction with the anchoring flange, secures the handle to the rail against lateral displacement and non-disturbing to. the screen fabric and beading or binding strip ,clinching the screen fabric within the channel of the frame.

The frame forming rails for both sash and screen frames are of conventional form, preferably producedfrom extruded metal bars as of aluminum or non-corroding metal alloy, of .extreme stability and lightness in. weight with the bar thickness of both sash and screen framesof the same dimension. lhis provides for registry of the frames of the upper sash and lower screen and which also permit ready interchange of a screen panel for the upper sash for a seasonal changej As the depth measurementof eachltypa of panel is approximately three-eighths Qf-Jan: inch, theyprovide for a, minimum depth of side, and top cross rails which can be. confinedwithin.

the. window'frame. for architectural design.

The siderails and head or top rail: for sym metry, approximate the same width dimension. allowing for an: excessive degree. of elevation for: theupper panel than nominally required for its remova1,. which is of material advantage presfabrication and application of the unit to an in-:

stalled window frame, in eliminating undue fits tingaccuracy in making. the application. .Ordinarilyzit is only necessary to. trim the upperend. of theaside rails to, accommodatefor anxapeu propriate. application; of the rails withinv the? window frame. andiwhich permits the. fixtures upon the rails to. be pre.applied.. Thisumate rially reducesthe time, labor and cost .ofinstal'e. lation and permits standardizingwthe sizes: oftha sash and screen panels.

In. producing the: rails l, by aniextrudedl metal. process, the limbs of the steps on, theirv inner. side, may each be. provided. with" a. rib.23,l ere tending longitudinally thereof, as shown in we 10, which materially strengthens therail and; provides for a minimum bearing contact with the rail, reducing friction in, the sliding movement of the sash. The rib on the riser, portion .or limb of the step provides a shoulder for, latch:

ing the sash or screen. frame .to the rail forwithtracks, bracket. means carried by at least one:

of the .side members and in. engagement the bottom of the upper panel to support the.

latter, said bracket means including an upstand=- ing. element engageable with aside face portion. of lthe upper panel confining, the latter against. theuframeland preventing lateral withdrawal. ,of, the upperpanel. from the narrower panel tracks of the frame,..and means for retaining said-other panel in the wider panel tracks.

:2. In a,.clo.sur.e structure for a building open. ing, a frame and a plurality lofapanelsof different widths slidingly supported therein, the frame including spaced side members each double stepped in cross section and each presentingsubstantially throughout the length of the frame at least two surf aces offset from one another and substantially parallel to one another and to the panels to pro? vide individual stops for sliding engagement with side faces of different panels, and also substantially throughout the length of the frame, at least two other surfaces offset from one another andsubstantiall'y parallel to one another and nor:- malto the panels to provide individual guides for engagement with the edges of the different panels, the said surfaces of each member being are ranged as a pair of panel tracks restraining the panels of different widths against edgewise shift.- ing' and lateral movement in one direction while permitting lateral movement of the panels in another direction for removal from the frame,

the panel tracks of the members including rel 7", ativelynarrowly spaced tracks and relativelywidely spaced tracks, said panels including a pair having substantially the same width and normally disposed one above the other in the narrowly spaced tracks, said panels also including a panel received in the widely spaced tracks and disposed fiatwise against the lower of said pair of panels, and means associated with al portion only of the length of the frame side members for restraining at least one of the panels against movement in said other direction to hold said one panel in the frame. 1

- 3. In a closure structure for a building openin a" frame having spaced substantially parallel side members each double stepped in cross-section providingirelatively wide and relatively narrow,

panel tracks having panel side face and panel edge face contacting and guiding portions, each track extending substantially the full length of the frame, a plurality of panels assembled in the frame including upper and lower panels having sides received in the narrowtracks anda third panel having sides received in the wide tracks, and flange means carried by at least one of the frame side members in association with the wide panel track to engage side face portions of the third panel thereby confining the latter against the frame and preventing lateral withdrawal of the third panel, said flange means being disposed wholly beyond the plane of the edge face guiding portion of the associated narrow track to permit lateral withdrawal'from the frame of the lower panel upon raising of the third panel above the level of the lower panel.

4. In a closure structure for a building opening, a frame having spaced substantially parallel side members each double stepped in cross section providing relatively wide and relatively narrow panel tracks having panel side face and panel edge face contacting and guiding portions, a pluralityof panels assembled in the frame including upper and lower panels having sides received in the narrow tracks and a third panel having sides received in the wide track, and flange means carried by at least one of the frame side members in association with the wide panel track to engage side face portions of the third panel thereby confining the latter against the frame and preventing lateral withdrawal of the third panel, said flange means being disposed wholly beyond the plane of the edge face guiding portion of the associated narrow track to permit lateral withdrawal from the frame of the lower panel upon raising of the third panel above the level of the lower panel. I

'5. A combination storm window and screen panel unit for a building opening comprising-aframe having spaced parallel side members each stepped in cross section substantially from end to end to provide panel tracks of difierent widths substantially from top to bottom of the frame, a plurality of panels assembled in the frame including upper and lower panels of substantially the same width, said upper and lower panels each having side edges received in relatively narrow panel tracks, whereby the relative positions of the upper and lower panels canbe interchanged in thenarrow tracks, and another panel wider than the said upper and lowerpanels having side edges received-in relatively wide panel tracks, whereby the other panel is slidable substantially the full length of the frame while being guided in the wide tracks, and means for interlocking the bottom edge of the upper panel with at least one of the side members to resist lateralwithdrawal-of the upper panel from the narrow tracksand also to support the upper panel in an upper portion of the narrow tracks in the absence of the lower panel.

6. A combination storm window and screen panel unit for a building opening comprising a frame having spaced parallel side members each stepped in cross section substantially from end to end to provide panel tracks of different widths substantially from top to bottom of the frame, a plurality 'of panels assembled in the frame includ the upper and lower panels can be interchanged in the narrow tracks, and another panel widerv than the said upper and lower panels having side;

edges received in relatively wide panel tracks, whereby the other panel is slidable substantially the full length of the frame while being guided in the wide tracks, and a bracket on one of the side members for engaging the bottom of the upper panel and supporting the latter, the bracket having one element disposed substantially flatwise against the side member, another element substantially horizontally disposed for underlying the bottom of the panel supported thereby, and a third element substantially vertically disposed for engaging a side face ofthe supported panel to resist lateral withdrawal of the latter from the narrow tracks.

7. A combination storm window and screen panel unit for a building opening comprising a frame having spaced parallel side members each stepped in cross section substantially from end to end to provide panel tracks of different widths substantially from top to bottom of the frame, a

plurality of panels assembled in the frame including upper and lower panels of substantially the same width, said upper and lower panels each having side edges received in relatively nar-- row panel tracks, whereby the relative positions of the upper and lower panels can be inter-' changed in the narrow tracks, and another panel wider than the said upper and lower panels having side edges received in relatively wide panel tracks, whereby the other panel is slidable substantially the full length of the frame whilebeing guided in the wide tracks, and a bracket secured to the narrow track of one of the side members and having an element received between the upper and lower panels to support the upper panel:

- LELAND T. MILNOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,629,264 Entenman May 17, 1927 2,056,024 Stuart Sept. 29, 1936 2,156,964 Biddle May 2, 1939 2,290,808 Lunkin July 21, 1942 2,292,273 Kaufmann Aug. 4, 1942 2,321,554 Milnor June 8, 1943 2,324,139 Davis July 13, 1943 2,357,119 Kirkpatrick Aug. 29, 1944 2,381,147 Weedon Aug. 7, 1945 2,427,915 Krantz Sept. 23, 1947 2,463,432 Russell Mar. 1, 1949 2,467,511 Van Fleet Apr. 19, 1949 

